Beyond the Market in the Cariboo

For three years, Beyond the Market has run a successful community economic development program for the agriculture sector in communities along the Highway 16 corridor. In that time, we have been honoured to work hands-on with hundreds of farmers, and we recognize the growing need for this type of service. The current phase of the project is due to expire in February 2014, and our community advisory board has encouraged us to draft new proposals to continue to offer services to the northern agriculture communities. We’ve also have several requests to expand these services in the Cariboo. As such, we are spending this month exploring the opportunities for this project and are seeking a wide variety of input, from YOU – the farmers, food providers and community developers and in the Cariboo.

There are several ways to learn about the work of the Beyond the Market project and provide your input on future services offered in your region. I recently traveled to the Cariboo to offer a series of open houses and meetings with local farmers and organizations. On several occasions we presented this interactive ‘Prezie’ presentation, and have been asked to share a link that would allow individuals to revisit the presentation. Here you go!:

*Note: to view this presentation, click on the link and use the arrows buttons or the arrow keys on your keyboard to navigate.

You can also learn more about the work done so far by the Beyond the Market project through our website and Facebook page, or by contacting us directly

MOST IMPORTANT OF ALL: The best way to provide your input on the project is through our online feedback survey that we would encourage all food and farm operators in the Cariboo to fill out: https://www.surveymonkey.com/s/TN28T5L. This survey will give us a sense of what Cariboo farmers need and want most.

If you are supportive of such a project coming to the Cariboo, we would very much welcome your letter of support. These letters can be addressed to our Program Coordinator, Jillian Merrick, and should include details of why you think our proposed services (learning, training and networking events, one-on-one business coaching, and cross regional information networks) would benefit Cariboo farmers. Please contact Jillian for more details.